Dr. Eric Baitchman, director of veterinary Services for Zoo New England, performed the checkup. He said the snake appears to be in peak physical condition.
Baitchman said five or six zookeepers were sent into the exhibit to capture and pick up the 50-pound reptile.
“It’s a lot of effort for them,’’ he said, “He’s not an aggressive animal. He’s very strong, though, and doesn’t really want to be held.’’
To examine the anaconda, which is the heaviest species of snake in the world, zookeepers held him lengthwise in the hallway in front of his exhibit while his body was inspected.
“I just did a general physical exam; checked his body condition; looked at the quality and appearance of his eyes and his mouth and his skin; felt his body cavity and looked for any abnormalities,’’ Baitchman said.
Though having his blood drawn may have been uncomfortable, the snake kept still throughout the checkup, even when Baitchman pried his mouth open with forceps.
Unlike human checkups, there is no need to listen to the heart and lungs of an anaconda, he said.
“You can’t ascertain anything from that,’’ Baitchman said. Anacondas spend a lot of time underwater and, as a result, do not breathe much. Their circulatory system also works much differently from mammals.
After the 15-minute exam, the snake was released back into his exhibit.
Baitchman said that he was not nervous while working on the anaconda.
“It wouldn’t necessarily be his nature to bite you,’’ he said. “He would just want to get away.’’
